Curated by Maryam AlNusif

Shaab Al Khalid’, that’s what it was called back then, now, it’s Salmiya and Maidan Hawally. My Grandmother will tell us why that is when we pick her up, she’ll walk us through her childhood stories and memories of growing up here. This area has more than one secret garden, and we’ll take you to explore them all. The youth in this neighborhood have done a lot for the community, too. We’ll take you to visit a grassroots community garden project, tell you a little bit about how my grandmother got involved in some graffiti wars with a local, young artist and stop for a break at a charming café in the center of it all. There will be soft serve ice cream with a little history and fresh juice along the way. To wrap things up, hand-brewed coffee and heavenly baked goodies will be awaiting us at our final destination, the secret garden. Oh, I almost forgot, the best part, we’re going to ride the 999.

While completing her MBA in the UK in 2007, Maryam Al Nusif, following her childhood love of food, enrolled at the Cordon Bleu. Her culinary experience include working at Nobu Berkely's kitchen, Cocomaya in London as well as Tapasaki in the Maldives. Since then Maryam has engaged in various culinary initiatives; founding 'Shakshooka', a nomadic, pop-up weekly market, and co-founding The Supper Club and Two Chefs and a Waitress in collaboration with different local chefs in Kuwait. Her latest venture 'The Secret Garden Project' brings together urban gardening and the community.